Edge guard for hand luggage



March 30, 1948.

G. H. WHEARY, JR

EDGE GUARD FOR HAND LUGGAGE Fi1e d June a, 1946 Patented Mar. 30,1948

TEE-D STATES PATENT O FFI C E EDGE GUARD FOR HAN D LUGGAGE George Henry .Wheary, J r., Racine, Wis.,. assignor to'Wheary, Incorporated, Racine, Wis, a corporation of Wisconsin Application June3, 1946, Serial No. 674,062

This invention relates to luggageand refers more particularly to handiluggage cases .of the type commonlyreferred-to vaszsuitcases.

Suitcases andother handlugg-age cases must be of relatively light construction if they are to be conveniently carried by the traveler, and, as is-well known, lightweight.construction is imperative for travelibyair. ZIt is,.therefore, customary toconstructthe better-types of suitcases of a .relativelythin butstiff panelling covered with leather or ancrnamental fabric.

This type of construction isv sturdy enough for the ordinaryrigorsof traveL'buthand luggage is subjected to considerable abuse by porters, baggage agents, expressmen and the like. Travelers themselves, moreover, frequently use a suitcase as animprovlsediseat, subjecting it to possible collapse or deformation.

Much-of theabuse to'which a suitcase is subjected is borne by the edges of the case with the result that thefabric'orleatherxcovering of the case quickly becomes worn and. damaged at these areas.

It is, therefore, an object of 'this invention to provide a lightweight grille or guard which is adapted to be installed along the edges of a suitcase or other article of hand luggage to reinforce and protect the-same.

A further object of this invention resides in the provision of a lightweight ornamental guard for application to the edges of asuitcase or other article of hand luggage which may be inexpensively stamped from a single piece of sheet material.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of an inexpensive bumper guard for the edges of a suitcase or traveling bag which will at once reinforce the same and enhance its attractiveness.

Still another object of this invention resides in the provision of a guard for the purpose described having a plurality of bumpers thereon adapted to occupy positions raised above the surfaces of adjoining sides of a suitcase or other article of hand luggage to which the guard is applied for preventing other surfaces from coming into rubbing contact with the sides of the case and scutfing them.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described, and more particularly defined by th appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

12 The accompanying drawing illustrates one complete example of the physicahembodiment of the invention constructed in accordance with the best mode so far devised-for the practical application of the principles thereof, and, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective -view of the grille of this invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of a portionof the grille taken alongthe line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the grille. of this invention illustrating its application to an edge of a luggage case; and

Figure 4 is a perspective .v-iewof a portion of the grille illustrating a slightly modified manher of fastening the-same to a luggage case.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing, in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout .the several views, the numeral I designates generally. the guard of this invention. The guard-comprises a series of angle shaped bumpers 2, with each of the bumpers constituted by a pair of legs or fingers 3,.integrally joined together at an angle having itsv apex, at 4.

This angle is .such as to. receive anedge portion of a suitcaseB such as the edge-filshown in Figure 3. By way of example, in the particular case showmihe edge fi is-formedby thevjuncture of two adjacent sides of the body section of the case.

The legs have .asubstantially channel-shaped cross section as shown in Figure}, :andwith the guard in-its. position of: use,,t,he ,open sides of the channels face inwardly toward the sides of the case, and the backs 1 of the channels are outermost, serving as the impact receiving surface of the bumper.

The bumpers are joined together and held in spaced apart bead-like relationship by web portions These web portions 8 lie inwardly of the backs i of the channel-shaped bumpers to give the guard the appearance of grille, and so that only the bumper backs project outwardly to protect the edge of the case over a relatively wide surface. The web portions 8-join the bumpers at the apexes of their angularly connected legs or fingers and also extend around the edge 6 of the case between the bumpers to completely cover the edge of the case.

Pointed tangs 9 formed integrally with each of the legs 3 which project from one side edge of the guard facilitate attachment of the guard in place along the edge of a luggage case. The tangs are preferably formed as extensions of the backs l of the channels bent downwardly as shown to close the ends of the channels.

In installing the grille the tangs 9 are driven into the side of the suitcase and it is obvious that they may be of sufficient length to enable the same to be clinched over on the inside of the case to secure the grille against displacement. Holes 19 are provided in the channel backs I of certain of the other legs of the bumpers to receive rivets which pass through the wall of the suitcase and cooperate with the tangs 9 in holding the grille securely in position.

If desired the tangs 9 on the legs 3 may be replaced by rivet receiving holes H] as shown in Figure 4, so that both legs will be secured by rivets or other similar fastening means. In this way a somewhat more rigid attachment and better reinforcement for the case is achieved. In either case, however, the ends of the channel shaped legs are closed by end walls bent down from the backs of the channels. 7

Although the grille here shown and described is primarily adapted to be stamped from a single piece of sheet metal, it is obvious that it may be fabricated from a plurality of pieces of material or may be molded from plastics.

Numerous other variations in structure and shape are possible, audit is to be understood that the appended claims are not limited to the specific embodiment here shown and described, but comprehend such modifications thereof as come within their scope. f

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing-it will be readily apparent that this invention provides an inexpensive lightweight guard or grille which will reinforce an edge of a suitcase or other article of hand luggage and protect it against blows and around and cover'said edge of the case and to lie lengthwise therealong; said finger. portions being formed by a plurality of spaced channel shaped fingers, integral with the web portions and projecting beyond the edges of the web portions to extend around said edge of the case and overlie the marginal portions of the sides of the case adjacent to said edge, and with the open sides of "4 V the channels facing inwardly toward the sides of the case and the backs of the channels outermost and raised outwardly above the surface of the web portions; and pointed tangs formed as extensions of the backs of the channels of the fingers which project from one side edge of the web portions bent downwardly and inwardly to close the 7 ends of said channels, said tangs being adapted to be driven into'one side of the case at a distance from said edge to be covered by the grille.

2. A grille stamped from a single sheet of material and adapted to be secured to the side walls of a suitcase orthe'like at a juncture thereof defining one edge of the case to reinforce and protect the same comprising: a strip having alternate web and finger portions shaped to fit around and cover said edge of the case and to lie lengthwise therealong, said finger portions being formed by a, plurality of spaced channel shaped fingers integral with the web portions and projecting beyond the edges of the web portions to extend around the edge of said case and overlie the marginal portions of the sides of the. case adjacent to said edge, and with the open sides of the channels facing inwardly toward the sides of the case and the backs of the channels outermost and raised outwardly above the surface of the web portions; end closures for the fingers com: prising extensions on the backs of the channels of the fingers bent downwardly and inwardly to close the ends of said channels; and means at the ends of the fingers for securing the same to the sides of the case at a distance from the edge thereof to be covered by the grille. V

GEORGE HENRY WHEARY, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record-inthe file of this patent: V

UNITED STATES PATENTS France Sept. 17,1929 

